Luxury transportation is a must for ensuring that your get-togethers are unforgettable. First Class Limousine is proud to offer quality wine tours and other services for Los Angeles patrons. Our professional chauffeurs can ensure that you experience the utmost in safety and comfort no matter where you need to go.
One quality unique to California is its exceptionally diverse array of biomes and climates. This diversity allows for both the growth of many different kinds of grapes as well as a significant collection of unique wine-tasting experiences for curious travelers and seasoned sommeliers alike.
A Brief History of California Wine Country
California didn’t start as the winemaking powerhouse it is today. Spanish missionaries planted vineyards of Vitis vinifera in the 18th century to create Mediterranean wine for both religious purposes and day-to-day consumption. The vine cuttings themselves came from Mexico and were sometimes colloquially referred to as the “mission grape.” Wine from this type of black grape was the most commonly available variant in California until the 1900s.
One of the most pivotal moments in history for the Wine Country came from the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s. Increases in both population and demand for wine meant that the wine industry in the Golden State would kick off in earnest, especially in Sonoma and Napa counties. The first commercial winery in California, Buena Vista Winery, was founded in 1857.
However, in the late 19th century, the wine industry in California suffered from massive outbreaks of phylloxera, a parasite much like aphids, which had ravaged vineyards left and right. However, many major wineries were able to survive the epidemic due to the advent of grafting resistant rootstock.
Another blow to the wine industry came with the signing of the 18th Amendment in 1919, which prohibited alcohol consumption. Some wineries, like the San Antonio Winery in Los Angeles, were able to stay afloat due to the demand for sacramental wine.
Today, California has evolved from having only 140 wineries by the end of Prohibition to over 1,200 today. The selections are more diverse than ever, so that there is sure to be a wine for everyone.
First Class Limousine provides Los Angeles wine tours and services for clients in need of quality service that caters to their needs. To book a reservation, call our team today at (800) 400-9771 or email us to answer your questions.
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